Happy Easter! For once I got the chapter up in time. AP exams are comming up so I'll try very very hard to have the next chap up in a few weeks. Also big thanks to kyokyon for the comment (even if it was a little frank). I realize what you said was true and will work on it. I also appreciate that you offered constructive critisism rather than just bashing the story.
Anyway, thank you all for your nice comments and for still reading my story after all this time =)
At first he just stood there dumbfounded as I moved my lips over his. Then I felt the shadow of his hand fall across my neck, warm fingers grasp my fair and pull me away.
He only looked at me, looked into my eyes, wondering if what was happening was real and true. His eyes fell and he turned away. I felt hurt even though it was all my fault, but it wasn't as if I or Naruto had a clear choice in this matter anyway, not when we were in love with the wrong people.
"Listen, Sasuke, whatever idea you have in that pretty head of yours, I want you to forget about it. I'll end up using you just as much as you'll be using me."
I grabbed his hand and leaned into him. "And I'm fine with that," I said. "We both know each other so well, need each other so much, we wouldn't ever really hurt each other." I squeezed his hand. He, oh so slightly, squeezed back.
There were approaching footsteps from behind, soft and shy.
"Umm," came the sound of twinkling bells, "excuse me, Uzumaki, Sasuke." We turned around. There was Sakura, her thumbs twiddling in apprehension, her eyes downcast in embarrassment. "I'm sorry I ran away," she began. "It's just…" she went to sit by a tree, "I really liked you, Sasuke, and then I found out you were with Naruto instead, and I knew I lost my chance." She plucked a lonely blade of grass from the dirt and spun it between her fingers. "Then even after that it turned out you're a Bloodsucker." She shook her head as if to get it out of her mind, then she went quiet.
I stepped forward, foregoing Naruto's hand and laying a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "Do you mind if I talk to you alone?" I asked.
"The bell's about to ring," Naruto interjected. "Class is gonna start soon."
"Go on without me," I answered.
He stood there for moments more until I finally edged him away with my gaze. We shared a moment of understanding with our stares before he went, over the hill and out of sight.
I turned back to Sakura, but just as her mouth opened to speak, I leaned down and kissed her, swallowing those words. This one wasn't like the one I gave Naruto. This one was slower, gentler, fleeting. Her lips were incredibly soft and my heart sped to an abnormal rate.
"I don't understand," she whispered when I pulled away.
I traced my fingers across her cheek, just this once. It was much smoother than Naruto's whisker-covered one, softer too.
"Don't then," I said blushing. "I've just always wanted to do that." I let my fingers fall and sat a comfortable distance next to her. "The truth is Sakura," I took a deep breath, "I don't have time for love right now. Naruto doesn't seem to understand this."
She gave a small smile. "So you do like me!"
"I did."
"Not 'do'?"
I shook my head even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to do.
The smile disappeared. I would've given anything for it to come back.
"I'm sorry, Sakura."
Her pink hair hand fallen in front of her face so I couldn't see her expression. "It's alright," she answered.
In the distance, the school bell rang.
I stood up and held my hand out to her as I dusted myself off at the same time.
She looked up, sad, and hurt. It hurt me in return to know I caused this. Once again, I held out my hand. She finally took it and I held on to it tightly, to show I still cared.
"If you don't mind, I'd still like to take you out tonight," I said as we neared the school. "As friends of course," I added.
"Good friends then," she answered in a hopeful tone.
She squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back.
Just so you guys know, Sasuke will NOT end up with Sakura. I would never allow it in a million years =P
Still, it leaves the problem of how to break Sakura and Sasuke's relationship for good. Think of some ways and maybe one of them will end up becoming true. It's just a matter of how and when.
